A new voluntary social care bargaining body will help improve pay and conditions for more than 110,000 workers.
It will provide a forum for trade unions and care providers to negotiate better wages and wider terms and conditions for workers delivering adult social care services commissioned by local government. Arrangements will be extended to other commissioned services, such as children’s social care, in line with the Scottish Government’s commitment to fair work.
It will be established by the Scottish Government and partners, in response to requests from trades unions, and will begin negotiating in 2026, with deals implemented from 2027-28.
In addition, the Scottish Government is taking immediate action to improve conditions for workers delivering commissioned services in the private, voluntary, and independent sector, including:
funding an increase in maternity and paternity entitlements to bring them in line with that of staff employed directly by local government; and
funding Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) checks for workers.
Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, Tom Arthur, said: “Social care workers provide essential, skilled support to the people we love, often in demanding and emotionally challenging circumstances. They deserve pay and conditions that reflect that.
“Fairer working conditions are essential to making social care the attractive and rewarding career which it should be. I thank trade unions and provider representatives for their positive engagement on this issue and look forward to close cooperation with them as we deliver sectoral bargaining.
“The steps we are taking today, with partners, deliver on our commitments and mark a major milestone in building a social care sector which we value, which we can be proud of – and that any of us may one day depend on.”
DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY FILM CLUB at NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS
Our Dementia Friendly Film Club is bringing yet another iconic musical comedy to the big screen in our theatre, Singin’ In the Rain. Join us on Thursday 26 March at 1.30pm.
This relaxed screening includes a short interval and light refreshments.
Entry is free and everyone’s welcome.
To book or discuss any accessible seating requirements, please call/text on 07493 876130 or email rehan@northedinburgharts.co.uk
UP TO £400 IN SHOPPING VOUCHERS AND FREE PRODUCTS UP FOR GRABS
Aldi has announced it is on the lookout for parents in Edinburgh and the Lothians to join its new Aldi Parent Panel – offering families the chance to bag up to £400 in shopping vouchers and free products, in return for their valuable input into future family focused products and initiatives.
Aldi, who was recently named as Supermarket of the Year at the 2026 Loved By Parents Awards, is inviting parents of children ranging from babies through to teenagers to apply, with successful applicants reflecting the diversity of family life across the UK.
Those selected will be asked to take part in short surveys and product reviews at key points throughout the year, helping to inform Aldi’s family-focused initiatives and wider customer experience. In return, parents will receive £100 in Aldi vouchers every time they complete a survey, alongside free Mamia products and selected Specialbuys.
In total, 10 parents from across the UK will be selected to take part in the panel.
Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “Families rely on Aldi every day, and it’s important that we continue to listen to what really matters to them. The Aldi Parent Panel gives parents from across the UK the opportunity to play a role in shaping how we support families – from the products we offer to the experience we provide in-store and beyond.
“We want the panel to reflect families of all shapes, sizes and experiences, so we can continue delivering the quality and value Aldi is known for.”
Parents who would like to apply to join the Aldi Parent Panel are invited to submit either a short written application (up to 200 words) or a short video explaining why they would like to take part.
The launch of the Aldi Parent Panel follows the return of the Mamia New Parent Fund for 2026, which will see Aldi will give away £100 vouchers every week for 12 months – totalling £5,200 – to help parents cover the cost of essentials including nappies, wipes, baby food pouches and toiletries.
Efforts to ensure the UK healthcare system is resilient against future pandemics will be undermined if the capacity issues in emergency care systems that are already ‘struggling to cope year-round’ are not addressed, according to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.
The Chair of the inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, investigated the impact of Covid-19 on healthcare systems across the four nations, including government response, how society responded, capacity of health care systems, and the impact on patients and healthcare workers.
Yesterday’s report concludes that healthcare systems “came close to collapse” and that ultimately, they “coped, but only just.”
The inquiry has made 10 recommendations, including the need to increase capacity in urgent and emergency care and ensure hospitals have the ability to implement surge capacity.
Dr Ian Higginson, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine said: “We welcome this thorough investigation by Baroness Heather Hallett and her team which has made a damning but honest assessment of how health systems around the UK coped with Covid-19.
“For our members and their colleagues, this report will make for sobering reading – it reflects the reality they lived through during the pandemic. They showed up when they were needed, and in many cases worked beyond their limits. They remain exhausted and burnt out because of a system that continues to run red hot.
“Covid-19 landed on an already fragile system. Our EDs were already experiencing overcrowding and long waits, which have only got worse since.
It’s really frustrating that the obvious lessons around investing in emergency care haven’t been learned, and that it is necessary for a public enquiry into COVID to point out what everyone who works in emergency care already knew, still knows, and have been loudly saying.
“Our EDs are struggling to cope year-round. There are doubts as to how well many would cope with a local major incident. How can they be regarded as prepared for the next pandemic or other potential crises?
“Last year, 1,688,555 people waited 12 hours or more to be admitted, discharged, or transferred from a major ED in England. Compare that to 2019, when 487,729 people endured this wait.
“We have patients receiving care on trolleys in corridors, on chairs in other non-clinical areas, waiting for an inpatient bed to become available for them to move into.
“As the report recommended, there need to be plans for surge capacity in urgent and emergency care during a pandemic. This is true and we whole heartedly agree. But we need capacity all year round.
“While we do have institutional knowledge of what a pandemic could bring, and the ability to isolate some patients with infectious illnesses due to infrastructural improvements, I haven’t seen anything to suggest that our emergency care systems are better prepared now than we were then.”
“The failure to prepare, which is an ongoing theme of the enquiry modules, put front line workers at risk due to inadequate PPE and outdated facilities compared to other countries that have chosen to invest in their emergency care systems and their ability to manage infectious disease outbreaks. Our patients and colleagues paid the price of this failure.
“This report is more evidence of the need to tackle systemic issues in urgent and emergency care. RCEM is pleased to have contributed to this important inquiry, and we will work with governments, across all four nations, to restore Emergency Departments to a state where they are fit for purpose and prepared for anything.”
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine provided evidence to the inquiry.
A witness statement was submitted by former President, Dr Katherine Henderson MBE, who held the post between October 2019 and October 2022.
Former RCEM President, Dr Katherine Henderson MBE said:“The Covid-19 pandemic was unprecedented.
“For our members and their colleagues working in Emergency Medicine, it was a time few of us have faced before and our health care system was Nnot adequately prepared for a pandemic to hit, and to hit with such force.
“Emergency care is a core service for the public that they should be able to trust can deliver the care they need. It must be adequately resourced to be able to respond.
“In the pandemic staff lacked appropriate personnel protective equipment (PPE). And we struggled to isolate people who had COVID-19 to minimise the risk and prevent transmission of the virus. And there were concerns over ventilators and oxygen supplies.
“Emergency medicine staff are incredibly pragmatic and resilient, but the toll this has taken on the workforce cannot be understated. And the goodwill of those who are working in Emergency Departments can’t be the sole reason to prop up the system that isn’t working as it should.
“The lessons contained in this report must bring about the urgent changes we need to futureproof our service – for both staff, and our patients.”
Political parties and policymakers urged to commit to ending homelessness to ensure everyone in Edinburgh has a safe and stable home
Homelessness charity Crisis Scotland has launched The Road to Ending Homelessness, a national campaign calling on all political parties in Scotland to commit to ending all forms of homelessness in Scotland by 2040.
The target aligns with the Scottish Government’s long-term ambition to ensure there are enough homes for everyone in Scotland by 2040.
The charity is calling for sustained investment, clear accountability and cross-party commitment that lasts beyond a single election cycle.
Maeve McGoldrick, head of policy and communications at Crisis Scotland, said: “Ending homelessness in Scotland by 2040 is achievable, but only through decisive, collective action. Delivering enough of the right homes, in the right places, is fundamental to meeting the needs of those at greatest risk.
“Early intervention must be the standard, not the exception. We need robust systems that identify risk sooner, provide timely support, and focus relentlessly on prevention. This requires guaranteed, long-term, multi-year funding for the public services that underpin effective homelessness prevention and response.
“The Road to Ending Homelessness sets out a clear, practical framework for reaching a point where homelessness is preventable and where, if it does occur, it is rare, brief, and non-recurring.
“We call on everyone in Scotland, including all political parties, to commit to this national priority. A Scotland where everyone has a safe, secure home is within reach but only if we act with urgency, sustain momentum, and turn ambition into concrete, measurable progress.”
Homelessness is the most extreme form of poverty, affecting thousands of Scots. A quarter of the population have either experienced it themselves or know someone close to them who has.
Every day, rising living costs, a shortage of affordable homes, and gaps in support push more families and individuals into homelessness, even within one of the world’s most progressive housing systems.
Families are stuck in overcrowded or unsuitable homes, or in poor-quality temporary accommodation lacking basic facilities. Many are forced to sleep on friends’ sofas, unsure when they might be asked to leave. Increasing number face the trauma and indignity of sleeping on the streets.
Crisis Scotland emphasises that this does not have to be the reality. While progress has been made in recent years, long-term political leadership is now essential.
New plan to help people live in their own communities
Almost 400 people with learning disabilities and complex support needs will benefit from £20 million of funding to implement the Coming Home Action Plan, which sets out measures to ensure tailored support and housing close to home, family and friends.
This will fund bespoke support, home adaptations, equipment and technology to enable people to return to their communities rather than spending longer periods in hospital than necessary or living in supported accommodation far from home.
Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur said: “Every day spent unnecessarily in hospital is time away from someone’s community, family and friends. We cannot allow people to spend longer in hospital than they need to or to stay far from home just because they have more intensive support needs.
“We are beginning to see progress. The latest data shows that fewer people are delayed in hospital or placed in care settings far from home – but there is more to do.
“I am pleased to see this £20 million funding bringing total investment in delivering the Coming Home agenda to £40 million since 2021. I thank Dr Anne MacDonald and partners for their commitment. Real change is delivered locally and this Action Plan, alongside additional investment, provides a strong framework for that.”
Cllr Paul Kelly, COSLA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care said: “We recognise the vital importance of ensuring that people with learning disabilities and complex needs spend no more time away from home than is absolutely necessary. COSLA remains fully committed to delivering the Coming Home Action Plan and to improving outcomes for the individuals and families we all serve.
“We have worked closely with the Scottish Government, Local Government, Integration Authorities, the NHS and Third Sector partners to develop the Action Plan and set out how we will jointly address these long standing issues. I am grateful for the significant commitment and time that all partners have invested in producing the Plan, which is published today. We now need to maintain that drive and collective focus as we move into delivery.
“Sustained, additional investment across the whole system will be crucial to ensuring that people with learning disabilities and complex needs can return home as quickly as possible.”
Dr Anne MacDonald, Chair of the Coming Home Short Life Working Group, said: “I’d like to thank colleagues across the sector for all their input to developing this Action Plan, which we hope will make a real difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and complex support needs.
“The Action Plan is focused on changes that will support people to live well in their local communities, to have choice and control about where they live, and to have their human rights upheld.”
The North Edinburgh Film Festival is next Friday 27 March & Saturday 28 March, and you can now take a look at everything we’ve got lined up for you.
This year we’re in our brand new home at North Edinburgh Arts, and we’ve packed two days with over 60 films from across the world and right here in North Edinburgh, plus art installations, filmmaking workshops for all ages, a community lunch, and an Audience Awards Ceremony where you pick the best locally-made film.
From short films about working-class lives and social activism to animations, family-friendly screenings and special film screenings from Screen Education Edinburgh, there really is something for everyone.
The first recipients of the Scottish Government’s new Expanded Festivals Fund have been announced today, marking a major step in widening support for Scotland’s festivals, and strengthening opportunities for artists and audiences across the country.
Creative Scotland has awarded £1,994,000 of funding to 28 festivals in the first tranche of support for the new Expanded Festivals Fund.
Designed to enable innovation in programming and showcase Scottish and Scotland-based artists and practitioners, it supports festivals in expanding their international and domestic reach and profile and creating opportunities for skills or sector development.
This initial round spans a wide range of artforms and locations, extending activity far beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow to communities from Orkney to the Borders, Argyll to Aberdeen, and Dumfries & Galloway to Highlands, reflecting the breadth and ambition of Scotland’s festival sector and the transformative potential of this new investment.
Supported projects represent significant investment into opportunities for artists and creative professionals which will broaden cultural offerings for audiences, including new and innovative festival programming, international collaborations, touring opportunities and talent development programmes.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertsonsaid: “Scotland has a wealth of outstanding festivals across the country which lie at the heart of our culture sector and national life.
“Our festivals’ ambitions and creativity provide focal points for activity and an invaluable platform for artists and performers to showcase their work. They also provide hundreds of millions of pounds to the economy and support a pipeline of jobs and businesses.
“The Expanded Festivals Fund forms part of the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to provide an additional £100 million more annually for culture funding by 2028-29. I am heartened to see this fund support incredible projects across Scotland which will increase participation in creative pursuits and ensure festivals can commission and collaborate on new and exciting works.”
Paul Burns, Interim Director of Arts and Engagementat Creative Scotland said: “Scotland’s festivals are a vibrant celebration of our creativity and culture, recognised and enjoyed by local communities and people from around the world.
“The Expanded Festivals Fund is a new opportunity to profile incredible creative work in every corner of the country and support other areas vital to our festivals’ ongoing success.
“The supported projects reflect the full range of our festivals’ work – including sector and talent development, international collaboration, and the development of new projects with specific groups and communities in their areas.”
The list of awards up to £100,000, for programmes of activity taking place between 1 May 2026 and 30 April 2028, can be found on the Creative Scotland website (see below).
In Edinburgh, there’s funding for the HIDDEN DOOR (£57,000) and PUSH THE BOAT OUT (£71,000) festivals.
Recipients of awards of up to £200,000 will be published in May 2026.
Social Bite’s new Edinburgh Village on Granton Waterfront has received its modular built Hub as the project progresses towards an opening date this spring.
The new Hub, the first of seven bespoke-made installations which will populate the village, will act as a communal area for villagers, with six new and improved one-bedroom ‘Nest Houses’ which have been re-designed following resident feedback due in the coming weeks.
The move along the Granton Waterfront is a relocation of the original Edinburgh Village. The move has allowed Social Bite, residents and charity partner Cyrenians to work together to reassess the design and facilities available and create living spaces which support people living there everyday based on their needs and wants.
The supported accommodation model, first launched with the Edinburgh Village in 2018, has proven successful in helping people who’ve experienced homelessness rebuild their lives in a safe, supportive community.
Charity partner Cyrenians will continue providing 24/7 support, having played a key role in helping nearly 100 residents gain skills, confidence, and reintegrate into the community to date.
Josh Littlejohn, founder of Social Bite said:“It’s brilliant to see the milestone of the brand new hub landing as the new Edinburgh village takes shape.
“We can’t wait to welcome residents to their new home.”
Amy Hutton, Director of Services at Cyrenians, said:“Part of what has made the Social Bite Village so successful is the sense of community that is built between volunteers, residents and staff.
“The Hub is vital to that sense of community – a place where people can gather, cook, socialise and relax.
“Seeing the new Hub installed down at the new location is exciting – we are looking forward to starting a new chapter providing support to Social Bite Village residents in the new location, for years to come.”
Social Bite Village – Edinburgh – Hub Delivery – 18th March 2026
Raymond Davies Photography
The hub was manufactured by Invergordon-based Ecosystems Technologies and made the long commute from The Highlands to Granton. The remaining buildings are due to arrive in April.
The Social Bite Village has received generous support from M&G plc through their Empty Spaces coalition with Habitat for Humanity, as well as from Anderson Strathearn, itison, and many incredible contributions from individual supporters.
Right to lifelong advocacy and enhanced support for all care leavers
A lifelong entitlement to advocacy services for all care experienced people will ensure their voices are better heard after MSPs backed landmark legislation to accelerate delivery of ‘the Promise’.
The Children (Care, Care Experience, and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill underpins delivery of the Scottish Government’s response to the independent care review, and commitment to keep the Promise. The Bill was passed in a final Stage 3 vote in the Scottish Parliament.
The Bill will extend aftercare support currently available for 16-to-26 year olds who were in care on their 16th birthday to those who had left care before that point – including help with accommodation, education, employment and wellbeing.
It includes provisions to drive reforms to the Children’s Hearing System, including remunerated Panel chairs to help reduce delays and increase capacity, to ensure the system better meet the needs of children and families.
Residential childcare providers will have to provide financial information to Ministers, and a Residential Childcare Futures Reference Group will be established.
This group will draw together partners from national and local government, social work, and organisations representing care-experienced people to ensure the needs of children and young people are foremost in residential care.
It will consider definitions of profit and provide future advice to Ministers on further regulation to limit profit.
Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People & The Promise said: “This legislation will deliver a very strong package of further change that will help improve the lives of people across Scotland with care experience and those who care for them. It represents a significant milestone and will accelerate progress towards keeping the Promise.
“I am grateful to everyone across the care experienced community who helped to shape the Bill, and to MSPs across the Parliament whose engagement has resulted in a legislative package that will help greatly improve the support available.
“This legislation is an essential part of our wider on-going programme of work to keep the Promise, and will help to deliver the change which the 5,500 voices that informed the Independent Care Review told us must happen.”
Discussions with MSPs from across the chamber led to Scottish Government amendments to the Bill, which will deliver enhanced support for kinship carers. These include strengthening the role of family group decision making, and making it easier for eligible kinship families to access financial, practical and advocacy support through a comprehensive needs-based assessment from their local authority.
View the brochure online and start planning your visit – 
North Edinburgh Arts, 12C MacMillan Square
Friday 27 March 10am–8:30pm
